Trump's $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Seeks to 'Make Shipbuilding Great Again'

Proposal includes funding for 'Trump-class battleships' and a 'Golden Dome' missile defense shield

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:26pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes in shades of blue, representing the motion and power of naval warfare.Trump's proposed military budget aims to 'Make Shipbuilding Great Again' with funding for a new 'Golden Fleet' of warships.Norfolk Today

President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027 includes tens of billions earmarked for a major shipbuilding initiative, dubbed the 'Golden Fleet,' as well as funding for troop pay raises and a new 'Golden Dome' missile defense system. The ambitious proposal is likely to face pushback from congressional Democrats.

Why it matters

Trump's defense budget proposal reflects his administration's focus on military strength and technological superiority, but the massive spending request could spark a political battle in Congress. The plan to revive American shipbuilding and create a new fleet of 'Trump-class battleships' is a key part of the president's 'peace through strength' strategy.

The details

The $1.5 trillion defense budget request includes $65.8 billion for new ship construction, with plans to build 18 battle force ships and 16 non-battle force ships. This would establish Trump's 'Golden Fleet,' including initial funding for the 'Trump-class battleship' and next-generation frigates. The budget also calls for increasing capacity at public shipyards and improving overall ship production. Other priorities include troop pay raises ranging from 5-7%, investments in critical munitions and the defense industrial base, and funding to build a 'Golden Dome' missile defense shield to protect the homeland.

  • Trump announced the creation of the 'Office of Shipbuilding' in a 2025 speech before Congress.
  • The $1.5 trillion defense budget request is for the fiscal year 2027.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current president of the United States who is proposing the $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027.

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Secretary of Defense who has made scrapping 'woke policies' a priority during his 15-month tenure.

Jeff Merkley

The top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee who criticized Trump's defense budget request as an 'out-of-touch plea for more money for guns and bombs.'

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What they’re saying

“To boost our defense industrial base, we are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding.”

— President Donald Trump

“It's just an out-of-touch plea for more money for guns and bombs, and less for the things people need, like housing, healthcare, education, roads, scientific research, and environmental protection.”

— Jeff Merkley, Top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee

What’s next

The proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027 will now go to Congress for consideration and approval.

The takeaway

Trump's defense budget request reflects his administration's continued focus on military strength and technological superiority, but the massive spending proposal is likely to face significant opposition from congressional Democrats who argue the funds would be better spent on domestic priorities.